Signs of New ‘Kraken’ COVID Variant and Extra – NBC Chicago

Are signs of a brand new variant informally nicknamed the “kraken” variant totally different from earlier strains?

What to know as the brand new variant shortly rises to dominance.

Here is what else it’s essential to know in regards to the coronavirus pandemic throughout Illinois as we speak.

Are Signs of the ‘Kraken’ Variant Totally different From Different COVID Strains? Here is What Medical doctors Say

A extremely contagious “recombinant” variant composed of two totally different BA.2 strains, the “kraken” variant has shortly grow to be the dominant type of COVID within the U.S. and is continuous to unfold nationwide.

Also called XBB.1.5, the variant shortly rose to prominence as consultants say it’s extra contagious than a lot of its predecessors.

Learn extra here.

CPS Asks College students, Workers to “Please Take a look at For COVID Earlier than Returning to Faculty” Monday

As Chicago Public Faculties resumes Monday following winter break, directors are bracing a attainable surge in COVID circumstances by asking college students and workers to “please take a look at for COVID-19 earlier than returning faculty,” a message posted to CPS’ web site says.

“With a view to preserve our faculty communities protected, please take a look at for COVID-19 earlier than returning to highschool,” a post titled “Essential Observe For Households Concerning Winter Break” reads.

Learn extra here.

New XBB.1.5 Variant, Return to Faculty Gas Worries About Put up-Vacation COVID Spike

Issues have emerged about the potential for a post-holiday COVID surge fueled by a brand new variant, latest giant gatherings and the return to the classroom following winter break.

Whereas will increase in COVID circumstances have occurred in different elements of the U.S., weekly case numbers, hospital admissions and weekly deaths declined in latest days throughout Illinois, in accordance with information from the Illinois Division of Public Well being. Throughout the state, 26 counties are at “excessive” neighborhood stage standing, as outlined by the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.

Learn extra here.

College of Illinois Removes COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing Necessities

The College of Illinois has eliminated its COVID-19 vaccination and testing necessities for all college students and staff, system President Tim Killeen introduced.

“We do, nevertheless, strongly suggest that you just keep updated with the newest vaccine or booster obtainable as a barrier to critical sickness,” Killeen stated, The News-Gazette reported Friday.

Unvaccinated college students and staff on the college’s campuses had been required to maintain up a daily testing schedule.

Learn extra here.

What’s the ‘Kraken’ Variant? What We Know Concerning the New COVID Variant So Far

You will have heard a couple of so-called “kraken” variant circulating proper now, however what precisely is it and why is being referred to as that?

The nickname refers back to the XBB.1.5 variant, which has shortly grow to be the dominant COVID pressure within the U.S.

However why the “kraken” variant?

Learn extra here.

73 Illinois Counties at ‘Excessive’ COVID-19 Group Stage as Instances Climb From Final Week

In keeping with Illinois well being officers, 73 of the state’s 102 counties are actually at an elevated COVID-19 neighborhood stage in accordance with CDC information, marking a rise from 65 counties from information launched final week.

Of the counties at an elevated stage, 28 are at a “excessive” neighborhood stage and 45 counties are at a “medium” neighborhood stage. The entire counties within the Chicago space stay at a “medium” stage.

Illinois well being officers are reporting 16,281 new possible and confirmed circumstances of COVID-19 within the week ending on Jan. 1, with 20 further deaths.

Learn extra here.

Are Signs Altering With New COVID Variant Rising? Here is What Chicago’s High Doc Stated

The Covid omicron XBB.1.5 variant has practically doubled in prevalence over the previous week and now represents about 41% of latest circumstances within the U.S., in accordance with CDC information.

As a brand new, extra contagious COVID-19 variant shortly beneficial properties prevalence domestically and nationally, many are questioning if the XBB.1.5 strain presents new signs than earlier strains of the virus.

Whereas the variant remains to be presenting signs which were famous to be per COVID-19 because the onset of the pandemic, Arwady famous that flu-like signs will not be as prevalent with XBB.1.5, significantly for individuals who are vaccinated and boosted.

Learn extra here.

New COVID Variant XBB.1.5: What It Is, Signs and What You Ought to Know

The COVID omicron XBB.1.5 variant is quickly turning into dominant within the U.S. as a result of it’s extremely immune evasive and seems more practical at binding to cells than associated subvariants, scientists say.

A new COVID variant, marking a fusion between two latest strains that’s much more contagious than its predecessors, is starting to take maintain within the U.S., however what precisely is it, how critical is it and what are the signs?

Here’s a look at what we know so far and what experts are saying.